Intra-premises wireless broadband service using lumped and distributed wireless radiation from cable source input

• US 8,660,477 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2012
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Murray, John F., Rice, Christopher W., Worstell, Harry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DANH C
• Application Number:
  US13/425,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20120180094A1
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.01, 455/7, 455/557, 370/352
• US Class Current: 455/3.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/15 Active relay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2143 located in a single building, e.g. hotel, hospital or museum arrangements specially adapted for plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63; adaptations for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution in television systems H04N7/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42676 for modulating an analogue carrier signal to encode digital information or demodulating it to decode digital information, e.g. ADSL or cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/104 Switchers or splitters

Abstract

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, includes a broadband signal access point, which may be located internally or externally to the premises, in combination with the existing cabling is used with radiation device(s) to provide distribution of services, including broadband services, within the premises. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first device receiving input signals comprising broadband signals and broadcast signals at a first frequency;

a second device in communication with the first device, wherein the second device generates packetized signals from the broadband signals and modulates the packetized signals to generate modulated signals at a second frequency; and

a third device in communication with the first and second devices, wherein the third device provides combined signals to a distribution device located within a premises via a hardwire connection, wherein the combined signals comprise the broadcast signals at the first frequency and the modulated signals at the second frequency, and wherein a portion of the combined signals are configured for separation from another portion of the combined signals and distribution via the distribution device to a wireless transmitting device of the premises.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the third device is a first diplexer comprising first and second filters, wherein the broadcast signals at the first frequency are applied to the first filter, wherein the modulated signals at the second frequency are applied to the second filter, and wherein the distribution device includes a second diplexer for separation of the portion of the combined signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device is a set top box, and wherein the second device comprises a media access controller providing headers to data packets of the modulated signals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device receives at least a portion of the input signals via a wireless connection.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cable modem converting input analog radio frequency signals of the broadband signals to digital signals having different address headers than Ethernet signals intended for wired distribution within the premises, wherein the cable modem performs the converting prior to the second device receiving the broadband signals.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the digital signals are at least one of Ethernet compatible format or universal serial bus compatible format.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the input signals comprise television broadcast signals and data signals.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the input signals comprise television broadcast signals and voice analog signals.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the third device is a first diplexer comprising first and second filters, wherein the broadcast signals at the first frequency are applied to the first filter, wherein the modulated signals at the second frequency are applied to the second filter, wherein the distribution device includes a second diplexer having third and fourth filters that correspond to the first and second filters, and wherein the wireless transmitting device comprises a radiating leaky cable.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first, second and third devices are located outside of the premises.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a cable modem that converts input analog radio frequency signals of the broadband signals to digital signals having different address headers than Ethernet signals intended for wired distribution within the premises, wherein the cable modem performs the converting prior to the second device receiving the broadband signals; and

a splitter that directs a first portion of the input signals to the cable modem and for directing a second portion of the input signals to the third device.

12. A system comprising:

an input device that receives input signals comprising broadband signals and broadcast signals at a first frequency via at least one of a hardwire or a wireless input connection;

a signal processing device in communication with the input device, wherein the signal processing device generates packetized signals from the broadband signals and modulates the packetized signals to generate modulated signals at a second frequency; and

a first diplexer in communication with the input device and the signal processing device, wherein the first diplexer receives the broadcast signals and the modulated signals and generates combined signals based on the broadcast signals at the first frequency and the modulated signals at the second frequency, wherein the combined signals are provided to a distribution system located within a premises, and wherein a portion of the combined signals are configured for separation from a remaining portion of the combined signals and distribution via a second diplexer of the distribution system to a wireless transmitting device of the distribution system.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a cable modem that converts input analog radio frequency signals of the broadband signals to digital signals having different address headers than Ethernet signals intended for wired distribution within the premises, wherein the cable modem performs the converting prior to the signal processing device receiving the broadband signals.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the digital signals have a universal serial bus compatible format.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the input signals comprise television broadcast signals and voice analog signals.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the input device comprises a splitter that directs a first portion of the input signals to the signal processing device via a cable modem and directs a second portion of the input signals to the first diplexer.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the signal processing device comprises a media access controller that provides headers to data packets of the modulated signals.

18. A system comprising:

an input device for receiving input signals at a first frequency, wherein the input signals comprise first and second portions;

a signal processing device in communication with the input device for generating packetized signals from the second portion of the input signals and for modulating the packetized signals to generate modulated signals at a second frequency;

a modem for converting input analog radio frequency signals of the second portion of the input signals to digital signals, wherein the modem performs the converting prior to the signal processing device receiving the second portion of the input signals, and

a first diplexer in communication with the input device and the signal processing device for generating combined signals based on the first portion of the input signals at the first frequency and the modulated signals at the second frequency, wherein the combined signals are provided to a distribution system of a premises for distribution via a second diplexer of the distribution system to a wireless transmitting device of the distribution system.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the input signals are received via a first hardwire connection, and wherein the combined signals are provided from the first diplexer to the distribution system via a second hardwire connection.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the digital signals have different address headers than Ethernet signals intended for wired distribution within the premises, and wherein the input signals comprise television broadcast signals and voice analog signals.